Help Me Understand Parker Pipes

[captainsousie]

I am confused about Parker pipes. I see them new on Cup O' Joes for $52-$69.75 right now but I routinely see people paying $50+ for them on eBay and other places. Some sellers right now are asking, and sometimes getting, $75 plus. A couple weeks ago, one went for $185. What makes these pipes better than the new ones? Is there an age consideration that I have not yet run into? In my experience, used pipes tend to go for less than new ones so spending the same or more for one breaks my poor brain. If I can get a new one for just a few dollars more or less, why get a used one and spend a couple hours or more cleaning it up?
Thanks,

Sou

 

[nsfisher]

They are a Dunhill second or perhaps third. Along about the same line as Hardcastle. I have one of each, and while they are good smokers, they are NOT a Dunhill. I also notice them going quite high on e-bay. It basically boils down to the fact that ebay seller's are calling them "Dunhill made" and they are being bought by people who don't know any better.

 

[crpntr1]

I'm pretty sure Parker, like KW and drg and others, has different "quality" lines, lower line =less$$.

Can't guarantee it tho

 

[papipeguy]

Here's an interesting article about Parker and it's Dunhill connection. It seems that while some believe that Parkers are Dunhill seconds that appears not to be the case. I have no answer to your question bt I think that bidding up on old Parkers may be chasing a ghost.
http://pipedia.org/index.php?title=Parker

 

[smokeystover]

As I understand it, Dunhill "failings" used to be sold as Parker pipes. I don't think this relationship exists anymore, but I could be wrong. I imagine the high prices for estate Parkers are for pipes that were essentially Dunhill seconds.

 

[crpntr1]

After some looking, I think nsfisher is correct, I see only a base line on 3 different sites

 

[crpntr1]

I did find an article stating not that they're seconds but that they're made in the same factory

 

[captainsousie]

The ones on Cup O' Joe's calls them "Parker by Dunhill" so I do know there is a connection but not precisely how their branding and production works. However, I am really thrown by the new price vs the estate price. I could understand if there was a way to know it was one from the '30s or '40s those could go significantly higher.
I think you are right nsfisher. Just checking if there is a known cause that makes the estates worth so much more.

 

[nsfisher]

I done a lot of reasearch on all 3 brands last year. Just out of curiosity.

 

[smokeystover]

In general, you'll see higher prices for estates than new with the once great British brands. In the seventies, most of the old British names went belly up, got sold, or quality took a nosedive. Some name brands have been revived to capitalize on name recognition, but they aren't the same pipes they once were. Look at Barling, Comoy, Sasieni, or Charatan.

 

[flmason]

There is an EBay seller Judd Pearl or something similar. I think they are in Illinois. The manager's name is Mike and he collects Parker pipes. He would be a good person to ask your questions and get answers or additional information for research.

 

[numbersix]

It basically boils down to the fact that ebay seller's are calling them "Dunhill made" and they are being bought by people who don't know any better.

+1

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I'd follow along with the prices being pushed up by buyers who think they're getting a Dunhill. Like everyone else, I've heard Parkers are just a Dunhill 2nd or 3rd. Haven't heard how they smoke or anything, but I definitely wouldn't pay that inflated of a price for one.

 

[captainsousie]

The funny thing for me about the "Dunhill second" brands is that my Hardcastle pipes, while ok smokers, are nothing to write home about. I put them up for sale before the B/S/T forum went kaput and am probably going to send them to my cousin's antique store for someone else to buy and enjoy them.

 

[rd02sir]

i've got a newish Jockey Club Parker pipe that was given to me by Bigvan last year. It looks nice, but i can never get it to smoke cool, it always smokes hot. Im thinking it has to do with the lacquer paint. I keep trying to smoke different blends, but to no avail.

 

[nsfisher]

Some pipes will smoke hot no matter what you do. I have remove ALL the finish, down to bare wood on a few. It does seem to help somewhat, or maybe it is just my imagination.

 

[rd02sir]

i could see how that helps, but i like the way it looks as it is, reminds me of the newer sherlock holmes movie.